The NC General Assembly came back into session on Monday this week, to override gubernatorial vetoes of bills passed during the session that concluded a few months ago and to approve funding for a few items state House and Senate leaders had come to an agreement on. 

Funding was approved for K -12 public schools and community college system needs associated with enrollment growth and to add nearly $500M for the Opportunity Scholarship program, for the backlog of nearly 55,000 people who qualified for private school tuition assistance but for which there was not sufficient funds from the original appropriation last year. 

Contained in the same legislation as the funding proposals (HB 10) was language to require that North Carolina sheriffs comply with federal authorities when they detain in jail an individual who is not in the country legally.  

The Senate completed business on Tuesday, with the House following suit on Wednesday. Legislative leaders indicated they will next return in November following the election to take up what is likely to be Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of HB 10.

Also this week

Rep. Jeff Elmore (R-Wilkes), who ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 GOP Primary for Lt. Governor announced this week we was resigning his House seat for an unspecified professional opportunity, and Rep. Kelly Alexander (D-Mecklenburg), who passed away on September 6th, was remembered for his service by his legislative colleagues.  

IIANC Vice President of Governmental Affairs Joe Stewart appeared with IIANC member Sen. Jim Burgin at a North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Benefits Professionals (NABIP-NC) conference in Concord, NC, to discuss healthcare and health insurance issues discussed during the recent legislative session as

well as looking ahead to what’s on the agenda when the NC General Assembly convenes for the 2025 Session in January.

2024 Election News

On Thursday, Joe Stewart was joined by former WRAL state government reporter Travis Fain for an election year update – you can watch the video on the one hour webinar on the IIANC 2024 Elections webpage.

And, as a reminder to everyone planning on attending InsurEXPO2024 next week, we’ll hear from both candidates running for Insurance Commissioner, state Senator Natasha Marcus and current Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.

Speaking of which, 5 pm on September 19th (the first day of EXPO) is deadline to make your 2024 InsurPAC contribution to be eligible to win one of the five raffle prizes (click HERE to see more information on the raffle and to make your online InsurPAC contribution).

The IIANC Board has set a goal to raise $65,000 for InsurPAC in 2024, to reach Eagle Status among the states in support of the Big “I” federal political action committee.  

IIANC CEO Aubie has put together a raffle that includes a free two-year

lease of a 2024 Dodge Hornet as well as VIP fan experience packages for games during the 2025 seasons of the Carolina Hurricanes, Duke Blue Devils, UNC Tar Heels, and NC State Wolfpack.